Texas vs. Oklahoma Best Bet: Will Quinn Ewers, Texas Win the Red River Rivalry?

Texas vs. Oklahoma Best Bet: Will Quinn Ewers, Texas Win the Red River Rivalry?

One of the most historic rivalries in college football returns in Week 6 in the form of the Red River rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma. This game marks just one of four this week, taking place between two ranked teams, and it is the lowest-ranked matchup of those four, making it potentially the best game on the large board tomorrow. Texas comes into this game ranked #3 in the country after beating Kansas 40-14, covering the 16.5-point spread. Oklahoma comes into this game ranked #12 in the country after dismantling Iowa State in a 50-20 win as 20-point favorites. Both teams are 5-0 on the season, and someone's record is moving to 5-1 tomorrow afternoon. Can Texas build off last season's rout and win again?

Oklahoma vs. Texas Date, Time, and Where to Watch

• Date: October 7, 2023
• Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ABC

Oklahoma vs. Texas Prediction

Last year, Texas absolutely dominated the Red River rivalry games, beating Oklahoma 49-0. However, Dillon Gabriel, the Oklahoma quarterback, did not play in that game. Gabriel is a fifth-year QB, but this will be his first test against Texas after playing three years at UCF and missing last year's game. Quinn Ewers (Texas' QB), however, certainly played that game, passing for four touchdowns in that game, which is the most he has thrown in any game in his college career so far as a sophomore. With an improved Oklahoma team and Dillon Gabriel playing in this game, the expectation is that the game should be closer, as Texas is a 5.5-point favorite at the time of writing.

Although Gabriel is back for Oklahoma, I think Texas still covers in this game. This Oklahoma team looks very strong, but they have yet to be tested at all. Arguably the hardest team they have faced is SMU, and they barely rank outside the top 50 in net rankings. The Oklahoma defense has been praised for its dominance early on in this season, but they have yet to face an offense in the top 70 of scoring in FBS. The highest-scoring offense they have faced so far is SMU, who is scoring 25 points per game, which ranks 72nd in the country. Even Texas' first opponent this season, Rice, ranks higher with 26.5 points per game this season.

The fact is that Texas has faced a tougher schedule and looked equally as dominant. Texas played Alabama ON THE ROAD and won outright 34-24. Sure, Bama has had QB problems and doesn't look "as dominant" as Saban's usual teams this season, but that's still a road game at Bama, and Texas still won by double digits. They also handled Kansas, who was a ranked opponent last week. This is Texas' third game against a ranked opponent this season, and they won the first two by multiple scores. This is Oklahoma's first.

While Texas can be exposed in the secondary by Dillon Gabriel in this game, I'm not sure he'll even have time to air it out. This Texas front line is scary, and Byron Murphy is going to be an absolute problem all game for that OU offensive line. Watch out for Jaylon Ford as well. This Texas run defense is legit, and Gabriel may have a long day in the pocket if he does not get the ball out quickly. I expect Texas to protect Ewers better in this game, which may come down to being the difference.

Ultimately, my favorite play is Texas first half -3 at -125. I think in Oklahoma's biggest test of the season, they may come out with a few jitters in the first half and start a bit slower. Texas has already played on the road at Bama, and this game being at home with the crowd behind them will give them a pump of adrenaline out of the gates. Oklahoma has had some slow starts this season even against lesser opposition, like their 10-point first half against Cincinnati and their 14-point first half against SMU. I see Texas being up roughly 17-10 in the first half.

Oklahoma vs. Texas Best Bet

Pick: Texas First Half -3 -125 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

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